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Along Life’s Way
The “Pour”
Analogy: A Fable
© 2018 Lois E. Wilson
The young teacher was confident. She had used the same lesson plan
during her practice teaching experience and received high marks for it.
Before her sixth-grade art students came in, she placed an array of
different pitchers in a row on the table.
When the class members were in their seats, she explained about the
pitchers. There were all types: ceramic and glass, for water, for
cream, for gravy, and other styles. Some were tall; some were as small
as an inch high. There were delicate ones and strong ones. Many had
different colors and designs.
She asked the students, “Can you see and determine each pitcher’s use?
For example, the syrup pitcher has a hinged lid on it to discourage
flies from landing on the sweet liquid. The water pitcher has a small
guard at the spout to keep the ice cubes from falling into a glass.
Which pitchers do you like and why?”
Some of the boys preferred the heavier glass pitchers because you can
see what is in them and how much liquid is left. Another boy liked the
insulated ones which keep the contents hot or cold. The girls favored
the decorated ceramic pitchers with floral or patterned designs on
them. They said that colors could be matched to other serving pieces.
The teacher discussed how it was easy to look at the items and tell
from their spouts that they were all pitchers. They had that in common.
But each was made for a specific use. She told them, “Although each of
you is different, you are all human beings. You have that in common.”
She asked, “If you could be a pitcher, which one would you choose to
be? What purpose would you like to fulfill?”
Mary raised her hand and said, “I’d like to be a creamer with beautiful
pink flowers and gold trim on me. I’d be careful not to spill on the
table or on anyone’s clothes.”
Johnny was eagerly pumping his raised hand up and down to get the
teacher’s attention. She finally called on him. He offered his choice,
“I don’t know much about those pitchers. I only want to be a baseball
thrower for my favorite team, the Cincinnati Reds. That’s the kind of
pitcher I want to be!” The class roared, and the boys began to applaud
Johnny who immediately took a small bow in triumph. The novice teacher
was at a loss for words.
Moral: Before you pitch a lesson, try to anticipate any responses it
might generate lest someone spouts out a home run that leaves you
creamed!
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